'What have you been singing for the last five years?' - One Direction fans reacts to Zayn Malik's solo contract signing

ZAYN Malik has signed a solo record contract - and the whole internet predictably went wild about it.

After quitting One Direction mid-tour he said that wanted a more "normal" life. However, the 22 year old tweeted that his new music would be "real" and show the "real me."

Zayn Malik has signed a solo record deal with RCA Records[Zayn Malik/Twitter]

Instantly directioners starting to air their views with one tweeting: "You say 'real music' as if you weren't part of the biggest band in the world, won multiple awards for your music and played stadiums?"

Another added: "The fact you used the hashtag #realmusic is offensive and it really aggravates me."

A number of fans started discussing whether the songs Zayn penned for the band's album Four allegedly being rejected from the album was what pushed him to leave the band.

"None of Zayn's songs made it to Four because they didn't sound like One Direction. He wants to show HIS music and his own sound. I'm extremely excited to hear it," said one fan.

SOme fans took Zayn's tweet as a dig at One Direction[YouTube]

However, some also took his tweet as a dig at former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson. "Wait, what do you mean who you really are and real music? Was One Direction not real music? Are you bashing the boys?"

But there are still many members of the Zquad (That Zayn-squad FYI) who are supporting the singer.

One particular fan gushed: "Go ahead Zayn! :) I'm happy for what you've decided, and I wish you all the best for your solo career and stuff.

"I'll support anything you do from now on. Good luck for everything! This is the new pages for your life! I love you as always x."